Today marks 25 years since the world stood still and watched on in horror as the tragic events of 9/11 happened.
The attack began after 19 men hijacked four commercial airplanes on the morning of September 11, 2001, and flew towards major US landmarks.
Two planes deliberately crashed into the north and south towers of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhatten, New York.
It was orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
The attacks caused the deaths of 2,753 people, including 67 from the United Kingdom.
A further 184 people were killed at the Pentagon in Washington when American Airlines flight 77 crashed into the building.
And 40 passengers and crew died near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, when an airliner crashed into a field.
Among them were seven men and women from Essex.
Here we remember them.
Vincent Wells
Mr Wells, 22, from Essex, worked for Cantor Fitzgerald, and was the youngest Briton to die in the tragedy.
He was working on the 105th floor of the north tower when the first plane struck.
Mr Wells died just a week before his 23rd birthday.
He attended Trinity Catholic High School in Woodford Green from 1990 to 1997.
The school holds a memorial service for Mr Wells every year.
Neil Robin Wright
The 30-year-old was an options broker from Tilbury.
He was also in the offices of Cantor Fitzgerald in the north tower when the first plane hit.
The investment firm occupied the 101st to 105th floors of the tower – the exact impact point– and was the hardest hit in the attacks, losing 658 workers.
After the towers came down, friends of Neil’s posted messages on 9/11 tribute websites describing him as a “wonderful person” who will be “missed forever”.
Neil lived in Chafford Hundred for a time and liked to drink in the Sandmartin pub in Grays.
Michele Beale
The 37-year-old, of Hillhouse Road, Billericay, perished in the twin towers on September 11.
A director with Risk Waters, Michele was attending a conference at the World Trade Centre in New York.
She had organised a prestigious two-day conference, her London-based company's first, at the centre.
Paying tribute at the time, husband Stuart said: "She was the best mother in the world and having to tell the children was very difficult."
Kevin Dennis
The 43-year-old bond trader was working on the 101st floor of the World Trade Centre when the planes struck.
Mr Dennis, had lived in St John's Wood before he moved to New York to work for Cantor Fitzgerald.
His mum Patricia Bingley, lives in Clacton.
Speaking in 2006, she said: "I think about Kevin when I wake up and when I go to bed.
"It will always be hard, especially at this time of year.
"9/11 is all over the television so you just can't get away from it."
Paul Gilbey
Paul, from Southend, was a money trader with Euro Bank and worked on the 84th floor of the south tower.
Mr Gilbey, nicknamed Daisy by his colleagues, was born in London and grew up in Hockley.
He had worked in London until 1992 when he moved to New York, where he lived with second wife Deena and their sons Maxwell and Mason.
He had a daughter Hannah who had stayed in Shoebury with her mum, Jane Jones, who had been Mr Gilbey's first wife.
A spokesperson for Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: "Today marks 25 years since the September 11 attacks.
"We remember all those who lost their lives, including the 343 New York City firefighters who died while responding at the World Trade Center, and those who have since died from illnesses linked to their work following the attacks.
"At 1.46pm, our colleagues will join fire and rescue services across the UK in observing a one-minute silence.
"We will remember them."
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